From Zero Aviation Background to Private Pilot

Aviation

Sacramento, CA

Mar 16, 2026

Going from no aviation background to meeting private pilot certificate requirements in three months.

I never knew a single pilot growing up. The aviation field was about as daunting as it gets.

After graduating high school, I challenged myself to do something fun: learning to fly.

I split the work into flight time, ground school, checklists, and repetition.

I earned my private pilot certification in just over minimum legal time, 45 hours, and started helping students across California.

I have since flown across the US and into the world's busiest airspace, Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Favorite airport is KMRY btw :D.

Ethan Truong